Rashes..when to worry

All this lovely weather makes me think....Nice sunshine... time for the heat rash calls!

I like to tell my parents out there that rashes fall into one of two categories.
1. Rashes I am concerned about or
2. Rashes I am curious about.

What Rashes make me worried....
If a rash is purplish.. doesn't get pale when pushed on and comes with a high fever, this could be a type of meningitis and would be considered an emergency. Get to the ER pronto!!

Rashes that are oozy and moist, or have pimples with pus filled centers, could be bacterial and need to be seen that day.

A rash that comes with a high fever could be strep related and should be seen the same day

A rash that is painful or very itchy should be seen sooner than later

All other rashes...

Many viral syndromes have rashes associated with them. Often the rash shows up after the fever is gone. Once the rash shows up generally the patients are no longer contagious

For our children who seem perfectly well but have a "mystery rash", we often need to be scientists.
are they on any new medications?
Have they eaten any new and unusual foods? special attention to nuts, fish, berries
Have they been eating a lot of citrus and acidic foods?
Have you changed to any new detergents? bubble baths? lotions?
Many times rashes will simply fade away without us actually figuring out the cause.
If a rash is persistent it is worth a visit at some point.
Enjoy the sun!
~Nurse Judy